Sunday, February 23, 2014

Head Outside - Take Two

A little ironic, isn't it? On top of this old uncomfortable chair, I like to sit with one leg tucked up, shaking my words out onto the computer. The technology is booted up in the hours when quiet takes over the home and babies are sleeping soundly in their beds. My eyes soak the irony in as I see the big chalkboard sign hung on the wall, right above the computer stuffed up inside the house. I do believe, folks, it is in everyone's favour to get up and go outside. Post-Olympic depression? No problem. Go outside. Even if minus twenty temperatures swirl around you, somehow, something good happens deep inside when soaking in the great outdoors. Be bolstered by the snow and sun. Give a little fist pump to the lone bird that bravely flies through the sky. Look up, look way up and know this is the most amazing screen you will ever see. A picture show created just for you - hypnotic green lights dancing in the cold, dark night or thousands of twinkling stars appear after the sunset of wild colours we can't recreate. Shut the computer off for the day, put your phone away and help haul tiny hands into mittens. I hear a lot these days about shutting your phone or computer off to be in the moment with your children. I don't only want to make an effort to put the phone away while my kids are awake for the sole reason that I'm in the moment with them. I want to be careful what I model. I don't want these tiny imitators growing up to feel a constant need to be checking their phone, mail, and text messages with the attitude that if they don't get it right away, the world is just going to up and end.Let's model a love for the great outdoors, not our phones. Let's play in the yard, walk down the street, lick a little syrup off the snow and give February a big kick in the pants, because fellow Albertans, it's almost over.So, when all else fails, go outside.

Stunning header Cheyenne- truly beautiful work. The difference in the light is already appearing. True, we can't feel the warmth- but the quality is changing and I sense that spring is around the corner. Our weekend without wifi and tv- I loved seeing the young boy mentality reignite in all the ways they "played" outside in the snow, or inside with tape balls, and empty water bottles for bowling. Thanks for bringing this idea home so beautifully~ love to you today~

Everyday our kids are outside to get some of that fresh air. Even if it is only for 10 minutes because it's so cold out. They need it, and even I need it! This past year we made the leap and shut down our Facebook pages and we're both amazed at how much time we're away from the computer now. We never realized how often you just "pop-in" to see how things are going with everyone else.

You are right, I think winter is almost over. These last few warm ups that we've had, you can just SMELL spring trying to make its way here. There have been rumors of robins flying about and singing, but I've yet to see one of these spring signals for myself. Soon hopefully! Take Care!

ah, yes. You are so wise. I'm making more of an effort to NOT be on my computer/phone after school when the boys are home. I decided that Wednesday night. And then I spent yesterday evening on my computer while they watched tv. I'm a terrible role model!